Sweaters in primary colors are a great option for adding some color-block warmth to your winter wardrobe. With a few alterations, you can tailor any size thrift store sweater to fit and enjoy winter style on a budget.
I recently picked up a bright blue cardigan for less than a dollar at a thrift store, but it was too large pretty much everywhere. The front of the sweater hung too low, the sides were way too big, and the shoulders drooped.
My previous articles showed you how to take in the sides of a sweater and how to adjust the sleeves.
To completely alter a very oversized sweater, first start with the top of the shoulders. Does the entire sweater hang down too low? Is the top button lower than you would like? You can bring everything up by taking in the top shoulder seam.
To do this, first remove the sleeves. Then turn the body of the sweater wrong side out and try it on. Pinch at the top of the shoulders to get an approximate idea of how much you need to take in. Insert a few straight pins to mark.
Remove the sweater and pin a new shoulder seam. Start with the neckline, lining up the front and back of the neckline, and pin out to the sleeve hole. See attached slideshow for photo details. Try the sweater on again to confirm your pin seam. Pin the same seam on the other shoulder using a tape measure to take both shoulders in the same amount.
Sew the shoulder seams.
Put the sweater body on again wrong side out and pin fit the sides. See my tutorial on taking in the sides of a sweater for more detail.
Sew up the side seams.
Last but not least reattach the sleeves, shortening them if needed. See my tutorial on shortening the sleeves of a sweater.
Enjoy your extreme makeover cardigan.
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